How can a developer ever find their place in this world? How can new tech startups find their way in an industry filled with so many paths? How can you, a lone tech enthusiast, satisfy your need to witness the latest and greatest in tech firsthand?
The answer, friend, is by attending a tech conference.
What Is A Tech Conference?
A tech conference is a large event that brings tech enthusiasts together - like Comic-Con for tech nerds. These events are held for tech professionals, journalists, reviewers, innovators, and even ordinary tech fans.
Despite how technical these events can be, attending one as a tech enthusiast is like being a kid in a candy shop. There are tons of new products being unveiled, exciting technology being explored, and fun demonstrations showing the capabilities of modern tech.
Which Tech Conference Should You Go?
If you're interested in attending a tech conference, you'll need to decide which topic you're most interested in. Is there a specific company that you're a fan of, like Apple, Google, or Amazon? Are you a web developer or programmer? Or do you have a particular interest, like consumer electronics, AI, or IoT?
Once you've figured out what you are into, look through events that center around that topic. Find a few that line up with your schedule, are near your location, and fit within your budget. From there, all you have to do is purchase your tickets!
The Top Tech Conferences Of 2020
If you want to attend tech conferences that are considered to be the best of the best, then you'll want to attend one of these seven conferences. These are the biggest tech conferences in the world and the ones that are sure to be the most popular in 2020.
1. CES: Consumer Electronics
The CES conference, or the Consumer Electronics Show, is one of the biggest annual tech events in the world. It's hosted by the Consumer Technology Association and has been an ongoing tradition for the past 50 years. This year, it will be put on from January 7th to January 10th.
At the CES event, more than 4,500 companies show off their latest tech breakthroughs, including advancements in software, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, as well as hardware, like consumer goods and mobile devices.
This year Apple will make an appearance at the CES 2020 after 28 years, which just makes the conference much more exciting. PITAKA is back at CES too, bringing the latest innovations to demonstrate how technology and fashion blend.
2. DataX Singapore 2020: AI and Data Science
If you're interested in artificial intelligence, DataX is a can't-miss event. It's the only tech conference in Asia dedicated to AI and data science, making it a rare opportunity to experience the latest advancements in these fields.
The 2020 DataX Singapore conference will be held from August 27th to August 28th. The event will host 75 speakers from 67 companies showing off 39 presentations. Only 300 attendees will be able to attend this conference, so it's important to buy tickets early.
At DataX, you'll find interesting panels discussing the future of data science, interactive workshops where you can explore artificial intelligence, and quality keynote presentations from leaders in these fields.
3. Google Cloud NextMicrosoft Ignite: IT, App, and Cloud
For those who want to spend their time at a tech conference learning as much as they can, there are the Google Cloud Next and Microsoft Ignite events. Though these events do have traditional presentations for you to attend, the most exciting events at each of these conferences are the workshops.
Both events focus heavily on hands-on experience in the form of sessions. During these sessions, you'll participate in lessons from leaders from the big company.
Alongside providing attendees with valuable learning opportunities, these events will give you an inside look at what these companies are currently working on and give you a chance to network with peers in your field.
4. DevOps World: Software
Similar to the Google Cloud Next and Microsoft Ignite conferences, the DevOps World conference is primarily learning experiences for the event-goers. Rather than focusing on product announcements and demonstrations, it gives passionate software developers a chance to learn from some of the best in their field.
The 2020 DevOps World conference takes place on September 21st through the 24th. Because it’s a small conference centered on learning rather than flashy announcements, the tickets are much more affordable for event-goers. This makes these events a great option for developers who want to focus on improving their skills.
5. Black Hat USA: Cyber Security and Privacy
Black Hat USA is a cyber security event that's been around for over 20 years. At Black Hat's annual event, digital security professionals can attend sessions that explore the latest in security risks, research, and trends.
They organize multiple events throughout the year, including Asia in March and April, the USA in August, and Europe in November. Black Hat breaks its conferences down into different events: Briefings and Trainings. At Briefings, leaders in the security industry speak on security risks and new exploits, allowing these topics to be discussed in a vendor-neutral setting. At Trainings, attendees can join technical courses to sharpen their security skills.
Black Hat recommends that security practitioners, security executives, vendors, venture capitalists, and career seekers take part in their event if they want to learn more about the latest in the industry.
6. Kafka Summit: Streaming
Apache Kafka is a framework that makes building streaming apps and data pipelines much faster and simpler. At the Kafka Summit, Kafka explores the latest in the world of streaming from a developer's perspective, giving attendees unique insights into the industry. The Kafka Summit is held in London on April 27th and 28th.
Part of what makes the Kafka Summit so remarkable is how rapidly streaming platforms are growing. Understanding stream processing is now crucial for developers, data architects, and DevOps professionals of all stripes. If you work in streaming or are a member of the Apache Kafka community, then attending this conference is a must in 2020.
7. Apple Event 2020
Apple's annual events are some of the most exciting and exclusive tech events in the world. These events, which range from keynotes, conferences, and tech announcements, create a buzz that goes beyond the general tech community and makes its way into the mainstream. Every year they attract attention from around the world since Apple’s product is loved by a large group of people, and various businesses rely heavily on what Apple created.
The majority of the tickets are invite-only, given to Apple employees and members of the press. The remaining tickets are available for purchase by developers. However, because these tickets are in such high demand, tickets are awarded through a lottery.
If you can snag a seat to one of Apple's conferences, however, it could truly be a once in a lifetime opportunity. WWDC is their annual developers' conference, where they showcase their latest hardware and software for developers. If you aren't able to participate in one of these conferences in person, you can always attend them for free online via a free livestream.
Attend Your First Tech Conference In 2020
If you're feeling the tech conference itch in 2020, then this could be the year you finally find your way into a room full of people as passionate about tech as you are. This list is only a few of the tech conferences being held this year. Be sure to do your research and find the one that's right for you.